The Old Lady sings again

While everyone is talking about that game on Sunday (I hear Hollywood writers are putting together a script to "Blue Moon Rising" coming next summer), my thoughts were towards Juventus. The Bianconeri are having a stellar year; crowned Serie A champions last week with an unbeaten record and playing in the Coppa Italia final. Add this to a spanking new stadium ... for sure the good times are back in Turin.

The recipe for success has been based on installing Antonio Conte as coach last year. The old boy has been an instant hit and his brand of football has been effective even though they have drawn a lot more games than they should have. It's becoming a trend for Serie A coaches winning the league in their first season as Allegri did exactly the same in his debut season with Milan.

How was Juve able to achieve success with no superstars? Teamwork. Conte has molded the team in his image with grafters like Vidal and Marchisio allowing Pirlo pull the needed strings in the middle of the park.

Credit must be given to Pirlo who proved the doubters wrong by leading the league in assists and showing he still "runs things". Milan must be ruing letting him go. Up front Matri has scored goals, not bucket-loads but important goals.

One thing I haven't been a fan of is Conte's trading flair for discipline. Players like Elia and Krasic have been sacrificed for Pepe and Marchisio with Vucinic occasionally playing out wide. Krasic, I believe would have added an extra dimension. He had a fantastic debut season and if there is truth that he fell out with Conte, then the coach has justified his omission with results.

It was an emotional touch to have the legendary Alessandro Del Piero captain the team on his final game for the club. As usual Del P delivered with a farewell goal. Even though this season he was largely limited to substitute appearances, he still made a telling contribution especially with crucial goals in the Coppa Italia.

So Juve reclaim the Serie A title and go some way to repair their image after the scandal that saw them relegated in 2006. Here's to seeing them possibly win the double and go ahead to great things in next year's Champions league.